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Planning a trip abroad usually involves getting visas, organising accommodation, and finding places to visit. Falling ill while travelling rarely enters people's minds. Yet, getting sick abroad is a scary experience, especially when you're far from your usual healthcare support.
Potential health risks while travelling include infectious diseases, exacerbations of existing conditions, heat stroke, and much more.
Being prepared is crucial for your safety and that of your family. Whether it's booking your travel vaccinations, identifying symptoms, or having an emergency plan, there are several things you can do to mitigate the risks.
In this guide:
Identify Symptoms Early
Food poisoning, traveller's diarrhoea, and respiratory infections are among the most common conditions you can contract abroad. Recognising symptoms of these conditions early ensures you can seek immediate treatment.
Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, and persistent coughs are characteristic of these conditions. If you notice symptoms, don't hesitate to seek medical help, even if they seem mild at first. Diarrhoea, for example, can be life-threatening if not treated early.
Monitor your health every day, looking for any changes. Remember, timely action prevents conditions from worsening, helping to avoid prolonged illness.
Seeking Medical Help Abroad
It's always sensible to make a note of the local healthcare facilities. That could be the nearest doctor or hospital. Usually, these facilities are listed on Google Maps, in travel guides, and other online resources. However, you can also speak to the British Embassy or Consulate for further details.
Travel doctors don't come free. Travel insurance covers medical expenses according to the policy details. Everything from cutting a trip short to hospital care is paid for by the policy, which could otherwise cost you thousands of pounds. Find more information at the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Self-Care Tips
British people aren't used to the conditions in foreign countries. From contaminated tap water to scorching heat, the right self-care tips can mitigate the risks of several conditions. Follow this advice:
Stay Hydrated and Rested. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration or heat stroke. Take time to rest if you've spent long periods in the sun. Heat stroke can strike when you least expect it.
Use Over-the-Counter Medications. Several OTC treatments can prevent a trip to the travel doctor. For example, diarrhoea medication will see you through a case of traveller's diarrhoea. Use these medications wisely; if your symptoms don't improve, seek medical help.
Contact a Healthcare Professional. If you experience any severe or worsening symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major health concerns.
Managing Specific Travel-Related Illnesses
If you're from the UK, the biggest everyday health risks come from influenza and the common cold. However, abroad, everything from insect bites to contaminated water can cause serious (even life-threatening) infections. Below are key tips for preventing and managing common travel-related ailments.
Food and Waterborne Illnesses
Food poisoning and travellers' diarrhoea are severe conditions facing travellers. Usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water, prevention involves being cautious about where and what you eat.
Unless you're in a country known for safe tap water, stick to bottled or purified water. You should also avoid ice in drinks if you're unsure of its source. We also recommend eating at a reputable establishment and being wary of street food. Everything should be cooked thoroughly and served hot.
Should you develop symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, it's important to stay hydrated. Buy oral rehydration salts to counteract the loss of fluid or try OTC medications like loperamide to reduce diarrhoea (use sparingly to avoid prolonging the illness).
Respiratory Infections
Travelling through busy airports and cities increases your risk of a respiratory infection (as COVID-19 proved). To minimise your risk, practice good hygiene: wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and use hand sanitiser when soap and water aren't available.
Wearing a mask in public is a sensible idea. Although the current evidence for its efficacy is equivocal, there's no harm in doing so.
If you catch a cold or flu, take time to rest and recuperate. Keep hydrated and use OTC medication to alleviate symptoms such as congestion, cough, and fever. However, if you develop a high fever, have difficulty breathing, or your symptoms worse, seek medical attention.
Insect-Borne Diseases
Insects such as mosquitoes are the primary vectors for diseases like malaria or dengue fever. You should have the relevant travel vaccinations for these conditions, if applicable.
Preventing insect bites is the first line of defence. Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and wear long-sleeved clothing during dawn and dusk (when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito nets will prevent bites while you sleep.
Recognising the symptoms of insect-borne diseases is crucial for early treatment. Look for fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, and skin rashes. When you identify these symptoms, immediately visit your nearest doctor for diagnosis.
Emergency Situations
What should you do in the event of a severe illness or injury? The answer is to act quickly and decisively. If you suspect that you're experiencing a severe condition, seek immediate medical treatment. Move to a more populated area early on if you're in an isolated region.
Learn the emergency contact numbers for the country you're visiting, as well as the location of the nearest hospital or clinic. Your travel insurance provider may also have a 24-hour helpline for assistance.
The UK embassy or consulate is available to support British citizens abroad. The Foreign Office also publishes up-to-date advice on 226 countries and territories, including emergency contact details, local medical providers, potential risks, and how to get help.
Returning Home: Post-Travel Health Check
Got home safe and sound? Even if you felt well during your travels, some illnesses have delayed symptoms, only appearing weeks (even months) after being contracted.
Visiting your doctor for a post-travel health check is sensible. You can report any health issues you had abroad, any lingering symptoms, or new health issues you recently developed. After all, you don't want to find yourself stricken with a severe case of malaria that could have been treated early (especially if you visited a high-risk region).
Your doctor might recommend follow-up travel vaccinations or treatments if they suspect you're at risk. Rabies, for example, is a life-threatening condition that benefits from post-exposure prophylaxis.
Prevention Methods Before Travelling
Travel Vaccination
Travel vaccinations are the gold standard in preventative medicine. Depending on your destination, you may need vaccinations for illnesses such as yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, or rabies.
For instance, if you're planning a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, essential vaccinations include MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Additionally, you might consider vaccinations for rabies, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, cholera, and Japanese encephalitis, especially if you'll be spending extended time in rural areas where these diseases pose a higher risk. Although Japanese encephalitis is uncommon among travellers, it's a concern for those staying in rural regions for prolonged periods.
Book a consultation with a Health Klinix physician to decide which vaccinations are right for you. During your consultation, you'll receive a comprehensive overview of any specific health concerns related to your destination, as well as personalised advice on the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and healthy journey.
Consulting Travel Doctors
Travel doctors specialise in dispensing advice about global health risks. You'll receive current guidance personalised to your trip, including necessary vaccinations, any medications you should take with you, and the health precautions relevant to your destinations. Your travel doctor can also prescribe relevant medications, e.g., antimalarials.
Packing Essential Medications
Packing a well-stacked medical kit is essential. Alongside first aid supplies (think bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, etc.), add OTC medications like pain relievers (e.g., paracetamol and ibuprofen), antihistamines for allergies, and anti-diarrhoeal for digestive issues.
Always bring a substantial supply of any prescription medications for chronic conditions, e.g., asthma inhalers, antidepressants, diabetes medication, and more. Other sensible items to pack include insect repellent or water purification tablets, depending on your destination.
Final Thoughts
Travelling abroad carries risks. Whether it's contaminated water, insect-borne diseases, or just a bad case of the flu, prevention is always better than the cure. Ensure you take the necessary precautions: pack essential medicines, note down emergency contact details, avoid contaminated water and food, use insect repellent, and take prompt action.
Protect your health before you travel—book your travel vaccinations and consultation with Health Klinix today. Our expert physicians will tailor a vaccination plan specifically for your destination, ensuring you're prepared for any health risks. Schedule your appointment now and travel confidently, knowing you've taken the necessary precautions.
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Reviewed and approved by:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
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